NEWS & PRESS RELEASES

Two groups of BBC students and faculty members recently returned from the Dominican Republic and South Africa with new experience and altered perspectives on the culture and needs of other countries.

At the same time, other groups are continuing to serve in other locations or are preparing to leave.

Teams serving around the world this summer experience hands-on learning and global Christian leadership opportunities, adding to their education as they serve others.

Great impact in the Dominican RepublicEight members of the BBC women's softball team traveled to the Dominican Republic with Associate Professor and Coach Dr. Bill Higley, his wife, Susan, and three BBC other students. The team partnered with Score International, an organization using sports ministries to reach people around the world.

Team members served in several orphanages and villages, taking time to share testimonies, teach students, organize crafts, and play games with children. They also worked with Lily House, which ministers to young women involved in or vulnerable to prostitution.

"The biggest thing for us as a team was to have our eyes opened to the needs that people have and to realize we can make a difference," Dr. Higley said.

"Even though it's a small difference, God uses that to truly impact lives. The challenge for us is to not walk away and say we had a great experience and then forget about it, but to think about how we can have an influence even afterward."

The team also played softball with Dominican teams, including a game at the Highland Complex in Boca Chica, which serves as a training academy for the San Francisco Giants.

"The whole week was really challenging, being in a different county and seeing the poverty there," said Veronica Tipton, a senior Women's Ministries major from White Hall, NY. "I learned that even through small things God uses us. Even in the moments that we don't want to do something, or when we feel that our task is pointless, he can use it for His glory."

"It was really cool to see the girls completely give everything to each place, to see all of them get emotionally involved in each place, give everything and not hold back. It made me realize we were doing things right."

Helping in South AfricaJohn Jackson, an Associate Professor and Director of Short-Term Ministries, travelled with eight BBC students and students from Faith Baptist Bible College in Iowa.

The group spent 20 days serving in different areas of South Africa, including time with Central Baptist Church in Pretoria, Bethesda Outreach orphanage in Hamanskraal, and First Baptist Church in Kokstad.

The team's work included construction, painting, and manual labor. The group also spent time working with children and teens, teaching Bible lessons, and preaching and running a three-day leadership camp for about 30 teens.

"Going to South Africa was an incredible opportunity for me to see people who know what true joy is because they live simple lives, love freely, and are genuine with others," said Marissa Langenthal, an Elementary Education major from Pleasant Valley, NY. "What a challenge for us here in America who have so much and find it so hard to be joyful!"

More cross-cultural opportunities aheadMany other students are serving and ministering around the world. The opportunities include two members of the Defenders men's soccer team who will be serving with Tim and Barbara-Lee Glessner in Puebla, Mexico in June. They will be helping with a medical clinic and sports ministry.

Three students will be traveling to China to teach English as a Second Language in July. And in August, five students will be serving with David and Felicia Lee in Bucharest, Romania, assisting with children's camp ministry.

Many other students will be serving in the U.S. this summer, working at camps, churches, and with other organizations across the country.

Baptist Bible College & Seminary offers an outstanding Christian education through on-campus, online, and other distance learning options. Students go beyond the ordinary, learning to learn and serve with excellence as they gain critical leadership and life skills.